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zaphod46's review against another edition
3.0
Other historical fiction pieces I have read tend to be period pieces, but Genghis, as you can probably tell from the title, focuses on a real historical figure. Iggulden, then, needs to tell his story while knowing that everyone else knows how it will eventually end. It is very nice of him to include a brief addendum describing where he varies from known history and where he filled in some gaps.
Instead of focusing on plot twists or eureka moments, the emphasis is on story telling. The storytelling, however, is only OK. It moves quickly, but what I remember is only plot, not descriptions or even any particular characters. It is hard to get to know a character when all he does is fight, think about fighting, and practice not talking or showing emotion.
Instead of focusing on plot twists or eureka moments, the emphasis is on story telling. The storytelling, however, is only OK. It moves quickly, but what I remember is only plot, not descriptions or even any particular characters. It is hard to get to know a character when all he does is fight, think about fighting, and practice not talking or showing emotion.
johnbreeden's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, contrary to what I expected. The character development was done quite well, along with the blending of the story and the action. I respect the author's choice to make some alterations in telling the tale - to the extent that this is historical "fiction." The last section helps to make some of this clear. In the same way, I respect what must have been a mountain of research to climb. This novel seems to hold firm to its connections with the historical basis while breathing life into its characters.
pmullane11's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
This book was quite an excellent audiobook (read by one of my favorites - Stefan Rudnicki).
It literally starts with the birth of Temujin (the future Genghis) and follows his life until he starts consolidating power. It's definitely a historical fiction in that it changes a few things around to make the storytelling smoother, but it does make for an engaging story (if a bit slow with the pacing to start).
It literally starts with the birth of Temujin (the future Genghis) and follows his life until he starts consolidating power. It's definitely a historical fiction in that it changes a few things around to make the storytelling smoother, but it does make for an engaging story (if a bit slow with the pacing to start).
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Temujin, the son of Yesugei, khan of the Wolves, goes to a neighboring tribe to find a wife. While he's away, his father is murdered by a gang of Tartars. Worse still, his father's friend usurps the role of khan and leaves Temujin and his family to die on the steppe. Can Temujin and his family survive long enough to get revenge on the Tartars and regain control of the Wolves?
The story of Temujin and his rise to uniting the tribes against the Tartars is a powerful one. Temujin goes through a lot of hell from the age of twelve onward, from being abandoned on the steppe during winter, to being imprisoned in a pit and being urinated on, to having his wife kidnapped and raped by Tartars. Once he started uniting the tribes, even I felt like riding with the young khan. While he's not always likeable, he's definitely a charismatic character.
The action scenes were by far the highlight of the book. People get peppered with arrows or hacked to death by swords on a fairly regular basis. While Iggulden plays fast and loose with history, it's still a great story. And since I'm already aware I'm reading fiction, I don't really care about historical accuracy. Iggulden's writing makes for an engaging read. You will not easily be able to put this down.
The story of Temujin and his rise to uniting the tribes against the Tartars is a powerful one. Temujin goes through a lot of hell from the age of twelve onward, from being abandoned on the steppe during winter, to being imprisoned in a pit and being urinated on, to having his wife kidnapped and raped by Tartars. Once he started uniting the tribes, even I felt like riding with the young khan. While he's not always likeable, he's definitely a charismatic character.
The action scenes were by far the highlight of the book. People get peppered with arrows or hacked to death by swords on a fairly regular basis. While Iggulden plays fast and loose with history, it's still a great story. And since I'm already aware I'm reading fiction, I don't really care about historical accuracy. Iggulden's writing makes for an engaging read. You will not easily be able to put this down.
dozylocal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars (almost a 4). I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This isn't the typical type of book we usually have in our book club, so reading a different gendre was nice. The story moves at a fair pace which means you keep reading to find out what happens next. This is the first book of a series which also works well as a stand-alone. It starts when Genghis Kahn is still around 13 years old racing horses against his brothers in his father's tribe. Sadly his family's fortunes take a sad turn for the worst and he and his family are deserted on the plains and left to die. They somehow manage to survive and the story culminates with Genghis gathering a significant portion of the tribes together to tackle the Tatars invading from the north. The story/series is loosely based in fact but is written like a story rather than a historic novel. All-in-all thoroughly enjoyable and if you're looking for an action-type read for the holidays, highly recommended!
lundos's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in a series of five books about Temujin of the Borjigin, also known as Genghis Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, one of the greatest Empires in human history (in size at least).
Genghis: Birth of an Empire is the story of the young Temujin and how he was shaped and molded (in pain and suffering) as a child/teen, how he met his wife, rose the level of Khan, his first experience with the Chin, and how he gathers the Mongol tribes through blood, revenge, battle, and utter ruthlessness.
This is historical fiction and therefore the author took certain liberties with the facts, this is more or less explained in the afterword.
I find it hard to rate. On one hand the story is very compelling - you can almost feel the cold wind on the plains. On the other the writing is detailed to a level that makes the story go slow. The last 40% was quicker and more action oriented.
Genghis: Birth of an Empire is the story of the young Temujin and how he was shaped and molded (in pain and suffering) as a child/teen, how he met his wife, rose the level of Khan, his first experience with the Chin, and how he gathers the Mongol tribes through blood, revenge, battle, and utter ruthlessness.
This is historical fiction and therefore the author took certain liberties with the facts, this is more or less explained in the afterword.
I find it hard to rate. On one hand the story is very compelling - you can almost feel the cold wind on the plains. On the other the writing is detailed to a level that makes the story go slow. The last 40% was quicker and more action oriented.
emjay24's review against another edition
4.0
I read Iggulden‘s Caesar series and enjoyed it, so I finally got around to starting his Conqueror series, about Genghis Khan. This first book begins with his father, and then tells the tale of Temujin (Genghis’s original name) and his boyhood, and how he came to unite the tribes. There’s nonstop action, as he goes from being son of a respected Khan to having pretty much less than nothing, then raising himself back up again, with the help of his mother, brothers, and others. The book ends when Temujin is probably in his early 20’s and gives himself his famous name. Temujin actually wrote an autobiography back at some point in his life. The original was lost, but it still exists in translation, and that seems to be a primary source of facts for this volume. I got caught right into the story, and the large book went fast. I learned about Genghis and his family freshman year in college, in history class, but to be honest, I don’t remember much and it didn’t go into this much detail, so I’m excited to read more and see what happens.
wendyh65's review
4.0
My review for Kaiwaka Library:
This novel is the first book in a series about the dynasty of Genghis Khan - though that name is not heard until the end of the book, when the man takes on that name.
It is a fascinating look at the hard lives led by the Mongols, living in a harsh environment that is often frozen, warring against neighbouring tribes including the Tartars, and sometimes simply surviving when the odds are against you.
I found it surprisingly engaging, and am looking forward to more.
This novel is the first book in a series about the dynasty of Genghis Khan - though that name is not heard until the end of the book, when the man takes on that name.
It is a fascinating look at the hard lives led by the Mongols, living in a harsh environment that is often frozen, warring against neighbouring tribes including the Tartars, and sometimes simply surviving when the odds are against you.
I found it surprisingly engaging, and am looking forward to more.